Ball Control

How to control the ball

Ball control is one of the most essential skills in football: a poor first touch and the play is usually over for the attacker. There are two types of control: receiving and trapping. Receiving means directing the ball into space away from the body. Trapping usually means stopping or settling the ball at your feet.

Receiving into space

Receiving into space is useful when you are being marked. Try to make contact with the middle or top part of the ball and push in the direction that you want to go. Good footballers can settle the ball into space, even when under pressure.

Trapping

When trapping the ball, the most important part is to stay on your toes. You can’t adjust to the ball when you’re stiff or flat-footed. Keep your hips open, facing the direction from which the ball is coming. Cushion the ball by withdrawing your foot just before the time of contact.

Techniques for controlling the ball

Inside of the foot

Don’t plant your supporting foot flat, instead keep the weight on your toes. Contact the ball with the arch of your foot. At the time of contact, cushion the ball by moving your foot along the ball’s path.

Outside of the foot

This technique is useful when the ball is coming from the side. You should contact the ball using the area on the bottom outside part of your shoelaces.

Sole of the foot

Put your foot on the ball with your toes raised slightly above the heel. This can be useful when dribbling, for example to stop before changing direction.

Instep trap

This technique is useful when the ball is falling. Don’t just wait for the ball to arrive, stay on your toes and quickly adjust to its trajectory. Try to cushion the ball using the area of your shoelaces. At the moment of contact, withdraw your controlling foot by bending the knee and ankle.

Thigh trap

The thigh is useful when you want to trap the ball when it’s falling. Make sure to position yourself properly, before you try to trap the ball. Adjust your thigh so that the ball is directed downward. If you don’t retract your thigh, the ball will just bounce off.

Chest trap

The chest provides the largest surface area for trapping and receiving the ball. To trap the ball with your chest, stretch out your arms and arch your back slightly. You may also have to bend your knees or jump in order to align your chest with the height of the ball.

How to practice control

If you have a training partner, ask him to throw you the ball with his hands, then control and pass it back to him. If you don’t have a partner, you can practice against the wall. Stand about 3-5 meters (10-15 feet) away from the wall and kick the ball against it. Then, trap or receive the ball when it comes back. Learn to control using both feet and always check to the ball, instead of waiting for it to arrive.